Dimitar Berbatov said he was amazed by the ability of Antony Martial during their first training session together at Monaco.
Martial was breaking through at the French club at the same time that Berbatov, who played 149 times for Manchester United , was there.
And Berbatov said he was blown away by the potential of the current United number 11, but admits since then Martial has not quite reached the levels he was expecting.
Berbatov said: "He’s a quiet guy. He’s like me, he keeps to himself. That’s not a bad thing.
"He has not reached the level yet where I think he can be. The first training session at Monaco I was going: ‘What the f**k?!'
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"As a football player you can see straight away. You recognise straight away and this guy he had something. He needs someone to say: 'listen this is not the right way, over there is the right way if you want to be the best.”
Berbatov also gave his opinion on the recently-maligned David De Gea, saying that it is essential United keep hold of him in spite of his error-prone season.
"De Gea for me – I know him because he came when I was there – I can see the development he’s made from the time then to now," he said.
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"He’s among the best in the world now. For him to stay is vital for the team. He gives them credibility. At the back the defenders know they have one of the best goalkeepers in the world behind them so they can stay calm."
It is expected to be a busy summer at Old Trafford, and it remains to be seen whether De Gea is retained or moved on to pastures new. He is entering the final year of his contract and doesn't appear likely to sign a new deal.
